Most seasoned political observers had already concluded that the presidential ‘bench’ for Democrats heading into 2024, should Joe Biden decide not to run for reelection, was exceptionally thin.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the heir apparent, is not considered to be a strong candidate in any way; she’s too unlikeable, there’s that habitual cackle, and the party’s insiders remember she was among the first Democratic presidential contenders to drop out of the 2020 race after she couldn’t even come out on top in her home state of California.
Now, to put a finer point on just how politically bankrupt the party is heading into the next presidential election cycle, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez of New York is tenth on a list of ‘top 10’ potential Dem candidates. Currently she is 32; you must be at least 35 to become president, and she would become old enough just one month before the 2024 election.
The list “included a hefty dose of names from the 2020 scrum that ended with President Joe Biden’s nomination,” the Western Journal reported, adding: “There were some surprises, however, including 10th place, which went to left-wing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.”
As the Post noted Saturday, the young Bronx Democrat is among those who have not said they will back Biden in 2024.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” she said in an interview with CNN last month.
The congresswoman said an endorsement might come “if the president has a vision, and that’s something certainly we’re all willing to entertain and examine when the time comes.”
But, the Post went on to warn not to take “posturing for a run; she also has an interest in assuring Biden caters to her wing of the party, after all.”
Nevertheless, the paper’s list, with AOC on it, generated responses on social media, as readers could imagine.
If this is the real list, their only chance is to steal it. AOC number 10? She’s irrelevant. 31 of her inane bills didn’t pass! https://t.co/LhA3b9LCDS
— Jules (@julievriahi) July 17, 2022
So who is your first choice? AOC?, Bernie, Kamala, or perhaps you prefer the governor of one of the states that thousands of people are fleeing? Which keen intellect from that deep democratic bench suits your fancy?
— snaboo (@PlainPond) July 13, 2022
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but AOC is not running for President in 2024. And even if 2024 is an open primary, she’s not winning the nomination.
I barely see her cobbling together the Bernie 2016 coalition, let alone the lackluster sequel coalition in 2020.
— A Very Annoyed INTP (@DMC0821) July 10, 2022
Third place on the Post’s list went to Vice President Kamala Harris, but paper offered up an explanation as to why she would likely struggle.
“Historically, vice presidents have been able to craft images somewhat apart from the presidents they serve. But Harris has seen her image decline right alongside Biden’s. Just as Biden appears to be the most unpopular president at this point in his first term since Harry S. Truman, she is one of the most unpopular modern vice presidents at this point,” the Post noted.
As for Democratic voters, they definitely want to see someone other than Biden — and Harris — amid record-high inflation that has been spurred on by spiking gas, food, and energy costs, according to recent surveys.
